Boys, girls lacrosse teams play for titles
Nick de la Espriella scored two goals for Mira Costa which beat Palos Verdes for the first time in three attempts this season. Photo
The third time proved to be the charm for Mira Costa’s boys lacrosse team Tuesday when the Mustangs defeated Bay League rival Palos Verdes 12-10 to capture the North Division championship at a contest held at Redondo Union High School.
After suffering two of it three season losses to Palos Verdes by scores of 8-7 and 7-6, Mira Costa held a 6-2 halftime lead before being tied 7-7 with 2:36 left in the third quarter. But it only took one minute for Dakota Randall to put the Mustangs up for good.
Tom Farrell scored a game-high four goals, Nick de la Espriella, Marcus Egeck and Connor Murphy each had two goals, Mitchell Hymowitz added one and goalie Tony Gibbs recorded 11 saves for the victory.
Tom Farrell scored a game-high four goals in leading Mira Costa to the North Division title. The Mustangs play Foothill Friday in the LA/Orange County championship. Photo
“Both previous games had been close so we knew we could beat PV,” Mira Costa Head Coach Dave Vinci said. “A four-goal lead at halftime was a luxury, but we were up on Palos Verdes the same way last year before losing in double overtime, so we had been there before. We regrouped after they tied us and the boys fought hard. I’m really happy for our seniors. They really stepped up and I’m glad they have one more game to play.
Mira Costa (17-3) is ranked 19th in the state by LaxPower and advances to face No. 3 Foothill (17-4) in the LA/Orange County final tomorrow at Valencia High in Placentia. The game follows the girls championship match that begins at 5:30 p.m. and features Redondo and Los Alamitos.
“We’ll need a lot patience and ball control to beat Foothill,” Vinci said. “They’re a very well coached team and we can’t give them anything. It’s an exciting opportunity because they beat us by 10 in the first game of the year.”
Chantel Celotto and the Redondo Sea Hawks take on the state’s top-ranked team when they face Los Alamitos Friday at Valencia High in Placentia. Photo
The Lady Sea Hawks won their 16th consecutive game, avenging last year’s season-ending playoff with a 15-8 win over Cate.
Julia Denney recorded a game-high six goals and Chantel Celotto and Meesha Robinson each scored three times. Bailey Czech tallied two goals and Tully Tampakes added one in the win.
Although Redondo (17-2) is ranked 29th in the state and Los Alamitos (20-0) holds the top spot, coach Tom Borgia’s strategy entering the playoffs appears to be working.
“We planned to really focus on playing tough defense in the playoffs and limiting our opponent’s possessions by winning the draw and controlling to flow of the game,” Borgia said. “We know our offense can score in bunches because we are No. 1 in the state averaging close to 18 goals a game. But defense wins playoff games.”
Julia Denney scored a game-high six goals to help Redondo win its 16th consecutive game. Photo
Only in its fourth season, the Redondo girls lacrosse program has improved dramatically but Borgia knows his team will be in for a battle with Los Alamitos, the best team from a group of strong programs in Orange County.
“Knowing that our seniors were 2-14 their freshman year and now are back-to-back Bay League Champs as juniors and seniors going 21-1 in the Bay League is unbelievable,” Borgia said. “Our goal was to win the North and get into the finals against one of the Orange County schools and see where we stand against them. No team from the North Division in either boys or girls lacrosse has beaten the Orange County team so hopefully that will change for us and maybe for Mira Costa’s boys team as well. We are confident that we have a good chance to win it all.” ER